Selective extraction of thiophene from thiophene/n-heptane using a poly(vinyl acetate)/water membrane system

A system comprising:

• a reservoir configured to contain a liquid mixture comprising a first organic constituent, a second organic constituent, and a solvent;
• a first feed line and a second feed line in communication with the reservoir;
• and
• a separation cell comprising:
• an upper cell, a membrane support frame, and a lower cell, with the membrane support frame located between the upper cell and the lower cell,
• the upper cell comprises a stirrer, the upper cell in communication with the first feed line and the second feed line, wherein the upper cell is configured to receive the liquid mixture via the first feed line, the stirrer is configured to stir the liquid mixture, and the second feed line is configured to receive a retentate comprising the second organic constituent and the solvent in the upper cell and send the retentate to the reservoir;
• the membrane support frame comprises a gasket configured to receive a membrane therein and provide a hermetic seal between the upper cell and the lower cell;
• wherein the membrane is configured to:
• absorb the first organic constituent of the liquid mixture received in the upper cell via the first feed line at a first peripheral section of the membrane thereby causing the retentate to reside in the upper cell;
• and
• desorb the absorbed first organic constituent of the liquid mixture at a second peripheral section of the membrane to obtain a first organic constituent permeate vapor;
• and the lower cell in communication with a third feed line configured to receive the first organic constituent permeate vapor;
• wherein the first organic constituent, the second organic constituent, and the solvent comprise thiophene, heptane, and water, respectively;
• and wherein the membrane comprises polyvinyl acetate and water.